Ceylon Cricket Academy XI led by Jason Shanthikumar beat Ontario Cricket Academy XI by 2 wickets to advance in to the finals of the Second Mississauga Night Cricket Festival, organized by Ontario Cricket Academy. This was the first Semi final of the tournament and the second semi will be played on Tuesday between Ismaili Cricket Club and Eagles C.C.
Batting first, OCA were doing great with Navneet Dhaliwal in full cry, clearing the park with a few sixes and putting runs on the board. Navneet was dismissed for a well compiled 44 and then wickets started to tumble with only skipper Junaid Siddiqui sticking there to remain unbeaten on 24. Ruvindu, Jade, Robin maintained a good line and length and restricted the OCA batters with Srimantha Wijeyeratne winding off the tail with 2 scalps, bowling his off-spin. OCA folded up for 116, leaving the strong CCA XI batting line up to get 117 to put them in the finals.
Ceylon Academy started with losing the wicket of opener Sudesh Dilshan with 10 on the board and then came the pair Ruvindu (27) and Srimantha (57) adding on some valuable runs. Ruvindu perished first caught behind off Junaid and then Dhanuka LBW. Srimantha went next trying to clear the long-off boundary and wickets started to tumble and OCA coming right back to the game needing only 2 wickets to get with 18 required by CCA XI. Durand was dropped at deep square and then it was left for Durand and Jade Padmore to hit the winning runs with 2 wickets in hand.
Cricket lovers in Toronto can watch the remaining matches of this unique “Night Cricket” festival in Mavis Grounds, Mississauga, the second Semi happening today (Tuesday) at 7.30 pm and then the grand finale tomorrow, Wednesday, 21st September, at the same venue.
The organizers, the management of OCA led by Derek Perera has done a wonderful job in having this great tournament happening with most of the leading Canadian cricketers taking part and would like to see more teams participating and improved event next year with teams invited from USA and even from the Caribbean to play here in Mississauga.

Reporting by Srinath Wijeyeratne